shoulder

shoul|der1 [ `ʃouldər ] noun ***

1. ) count one of the two parts of your body between your neck and the top of your arms:

She injured her shoulder in the accident.

shrug your shoulders (=move them quickly up then down): Most people would have shrugged their shoulders and forgotten it.

hunch your shoulders (=lift them up toward your neck): The man was hunching his shoulders against the pounding rain.

a ) the part of a shirt, jacket, or other piece of clothing that covers your shoulder:

She had on a white jacket with padded shoulders (=extra cloth that makes your shoulders look bigger).

2. ) count usually singular the area of ground at the side of a road, where cars can stop if they need to

3. ) count or uncount the upper part of the front leg of an animal, or meat from this part:

a lamb shoulder

4. ) singular the part of a hill where it curves toward the top

fall/rest on someone's shoulders

to be someone's responsibility

look over your shoulder

to behave in a way that shows you feel nervous about something that might happen:

Knowing that there are so many other good players on the team makes you look over your shoulder all the time.

look/watch over someone's shoulder

to watch carefully what someone is doing, especially so you can criticize them:

I can't concentrate with you looking over my shoulder all the time.

put your shoulder to the wheel

to start doing something with all your energy and determination

a shoulder to cry on

someone who listens to you with sympathy when you talk about your problems:

You know where to find me if ever you need a shoulder to cry on.

stand shoulder to shoulder

1. ) to show that you support someone's actions or beliefs, often by doing something together with them:

She stood shoulder to shoulder with her husband throughout his trial.

2. ) to be next to something or someone:

Bars and restaurants stand shoulder to shoulder all along this street.

=> COLD SHOULDER, HEAD1, SHOULDER-LENGTH

shoulder

shoul|der 2 [ `ʃouldər ] verb transitive

1. ) to deal with or accept something difficult:

The government cannot ask the public to shoulder the extra cost.

shoulder a responsibility/burden: Corporations cannot continue to shoulder the burdens imposed by the federal government.

2. ) to lift or carry something on your shoulder:

The boy shouldered his basket and started to walk away.

3. ) to push someone with your shoulder:

He managed to shoulder his sister out of the way.

a ) to get somewhere by pushing people with your shoulders:

She had to shoulder her way through the crowd.

shoulder arms

if soldiers shoulder arms, they stand up straight and hold their guns against their shoulders